Madge



Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,485

w. TALLMADGE FLUID CIRCULATING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 8. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1N Vii/V T OR wrw q A TTVORNEY DeC. 20, 1927.

- 1,653,485 W. TALLMADGE FLUID CIRCULATING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 8, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'llllllll wbcwa T uukmbfg IN VENT OR BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VEBSTER TALLMADGE, OF IMO'NTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WEBSTER TALL- MADGE & COMPANY, INC.. OF NEW YORK. N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FLUID-CIRCULATING SYSTEM.

Application filed November 8, 1924. Serial No. Tel- 3,691.

This invention relates to a tluid circulating system. and, specifically, to a steam heating systen'i, tor a single building or for a group of buildings, although not limited thereto since, as will be apparent, it is applicable either in whole or in part for other uses.

In the heating of buildings the steam, generated in the basement of the building itself or of an adjacent building or supplied at high pressure from some central station, is admitted through a valve to a low pressure main and from such main is distributed through risers, in a large building usually one or more on each of its sides,.to radiators located one above another on the different floors.

The amount of steam required to heat a given area depends largely of course upon the outside temperature, which .varies not only according to the latitude and season but also from day to day and, daily, from night to day. It further varies widcly, on different sides of a building, according to the direction and velocity of the wind and whether or not the rooms are exposed to the sun. Hence, in order to adequately and comfortably heat a given area, it is necessary not only to keep the total supply of steam constantly adjusted to the amount required for the entire area served but also to regulate from time to time its distribution through the different risers according to the ever varying conditions of sun and wind; otherwise, the rooms on one front will be insufliciently heated while those facing in another direction will be overheated, thus causing discomfort to the occupants and a waste of steam.

Numerous methods have been employed for controlling the supply of the steam, openings of different sizes have been used to more or less permanently secure a constant distribution of the steam to the differout risers and, perhaps, to the individual radiators, and automatic means responsive so temperature have been used for controlling the admission of steam to each radiator. But these methods are all objectionable. The lixcd openings to the risers make no provision for changeable conditions. And thermostatic control is not only expensive and diflicult to maintain in satisfactory operation but is also uneconomicalt'or irrstanee, it the oei supant of a sun-lighted main opens the window to let in fresh air and to cool ott' the thermostat responds by admittmg more steam to the radiators.

The object of the present invention is to provide a heating system wherein both the supply of steam and the distribution thereof to every part of a building or group of buildings, large or small, may be quickly, accurately and intelligently controlled by an engineer or other attendant from some conveniently located central point, however remote, thereby making possible the comfort of all the occupants with the use of a 1ninimum amount of steam.

To this end my improved system comprises, as one of its features, a motor-operated valve which controls the admission of the steam from the supply pipe to the low pressure distributing main, preferably through an intermediate pressure chamber or passage interposed between the valve and the main, and which in turn is controlled by automatic means responsive to the volume of steam passing through the valve for starting in either direction and for stopping the valve motor; and, in addition, means whereby the attendant, trom some convenient station, may adjust such pressure responsive means so that they will automatically maintain the valve in a position to permit the passage of steam in the volume desired.

As a further feature, my new system comprises means for controlling the distribution of the steam from the low pressure main to the different risers which may be, and preferably are, controlled by the attendant from the single central station. The control may be carried a step further, if desired, by employing the same or similar means "for regulating the distribution of the steam from the risers to the several radiators connected 1 herewith.

The invention also includes the other novel features and con'ibinations of features hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l shows diagrammatically, by way of illustration and not of limitation, one specific cmbodiment of the several t atures pf the in vention in connection with so much of a heating system as is necessary for the understanding of the operation thereof, .l 'igs i an enlarged detail illustratir a modilica than, and l igs. 3 and 4: are vit... g side ele ing switch 31. it. second. polarized ration with ports in section and in section on the line of Fig. 3, respectively of a polurizcd selector relay.

he here illustrated, the liieating system 5 proper comprises the supply pipe 1, supplied with steam at high pressure a. low pressure main 6 to which steem is edmitt d trom the supply pipe, under the control. or thevelve 2, through a ditl'user 5 equipped with e pres sure nozzle l, and a series of "Z 8 9 10, provided with control valves or diunpers 11 12 13 14;, respectively, whicl ere located for example. one on each side of the build ing to he hi. ed and which entry the steam from the mean to the radiators not shown). The pressurenoczzle l-sei'ves to build up and to maintain in thepnssoge or chunihcr be tween it end the, valve a pressure, dependent uponthe flow et' (teem theretnrough, which isinzeiniediote that in the supply pipe and that in the main and which utilized us.

will be seen, for the control of the steunti supplied to the system.

The co trol volts 2 is operated by nucleotric motor 3 here shown a series field direct-current motor. which is provided witli operating circuit .nections comprising the wires (1. Z) (comiected h :2 switch to suitable mains) 0 (Z c f and g. These motor circuits. hoth armature and held, are controlled by relays 15 16 1.7 and 1 the nctuetin circuits of which, con'iprising the wires 71. il 71 2' end are in turn controlled l tact fingers 19. end 20 normally held in open position but adopted to he pressed to one side. 19. against fixed contact electrically connected with the wire 72. end 20 against 2i fixed Contact electrically connected with the wire 7L1. The spring contactv lingers are actuated or controlled. outoiniiticolly. hy the pressure in the intei'mc l l ssui'c chum-- her on the discharge side ot the YfllY? llfi means of a pressure responsive novice comprising a hourdon tuhe 21, which 9t its fixed end is connected ith the pressure clientihcr by it pipe end :i floating; lever 24 which at on end has lost-motion connection with slink 2;, pivoted to the free end of the how don tube. which is supported by r: i ensJ-J-ed roller 25 riding; upon the crnn 26 and held in contact therewith li e :1 spring: 9.7. and which at its outer free end corries a button 28.. of insulating muterinl. located helwveen end in operative relationship with the two spring Contact lingers. The com 26, which is pivotellv mounted. is rotated in either direction, to the desired position. h n po lnrized selector relay by means ot a douhle reverse pnwl and ratchet or other suitable connection of its armature with the cemethe coils of which are conn ctedwi h suitable mains through a motor-driven current interrupter 30, hp wires in Z in '77. 0 y). controlled by e reversing; or polarity client two spring con--.

relay 29 with its coil inserted in the wire 72, and hence in series with the coil. ol' who; 29, has its armature operutivcly coni'iectcil in a similar manner with :1 pirotiillji' mount ed indicator dish 26. corresponding to the com 26. The switch 3i. and the relay ill) and its indicator dis-h ore prctcroblv mounted upon :1 panel or switch lmzu'd wl'iicl'i ll'lfll, he located at any point convenient tor the ettendont in charge oil the plant.

A selector relay suitrhle to? he iiurposes of invention-t le rel-1y 99 tor cxhmple is shown in. Finis. 3 and 4e. This relm ic prov ed with permsn magnet 50. which tohe s-emred. in position in any suitable manner end in Wfllflll is journeled o she-ft 51 corn "inc; fixed to on end (here broken away) the com for example. ll'ilounted adjacent the ends of the two legs or poles of the magnet and c stitntino' ex ensions thereof are two eisnotures 592 which are pivoted upon rod fixed in, side plates 4 5 attached to the less of the ma net end are connected too ether at their outer tree ends hi, 2. narrow her and. secureiil to the enlarged outer ends of the side plotes 54,541 respectively. are two electromognets 5t 56 the cores oi which are bent around and inwardly so that their poles 5'? F17 and 58 5% will adjoin the o iposite sides of the respective nrmotures. The coils oi the two clectiomegnets are reversely wound and are connected together in series in th circuit of the wires in 'n, tor example. The shntt 51 carries loose]; mounted thereon. ll.""l7\i'l91'l the legs of the magnet and separated therefrom by tuhulrui' snncers. the reversed retchetwhcels Gt) (30 which ore opinntirelv connected tooether end to the shell lw n diti'erentisl comprising the l'ievel-e'cm's (El 61 iliICQfl to the atchet-wheels (5O Gil" r b-spectively and 2'! third licvel-grcni' (c2 meshing: with the gears 61 Si. and ro'l'ol'shl r mounted upon :1 pin 63 set in ii spocinc' liloch fixed lo the shaft. The ratchet-wheel 5!). held against rotation in one direction in HDI'iliQ' stop 64 mounted on o lniclcct secu ed to the legs oi. the magnet [id is rotated clockwise (fls scen. in F e. 4-) liy :1 spring: pawl 66 curried h the arm (37' which arm is connected with the stop (i-ih :1 spring: 69 and limited in its movement low? (ls sold stop by screw (59 sidjustulilv m unt-ed in the bracket 65. is pivoted on the rod. 53 hetween ti'iliuloi' spec 2's. and l es on extension 70 held in engagement with one side oi the her 57 hi; the spring); 6?. F li uilni'ly. the ratchet-- i" la n sprin and is limit-ed in its JllOVPliiQlll towel-(ls said stop hy the s rew 69 adjustuldy mounted in the hrecltet 653 pivot-ed on the rod 53 lietxws n lll l llfi l (ill tubular spacers. and has an extension 70 held in engagement with the opposite side of the bar 57 by the spring 68. It is apparent that the armatures 52 52 forming parts of the magnetic circuit of the magnet 50, will be permanently magnetized, one-52 for example-positively and the other negatively. Thus, when an intermittent current is sent over the wires m n in one direction the poles of the electromagnets will alternatelv be magnetized, 5'7 negatively and 58 positively to attract and 57 positively and 58 negatively to repel the two armatures thereby rocking the arm 67 and drawing the pawl 66 back one tooth on the ratchet-whcel 60. and demagnetized, to release the armatures and allow the spring 68 to rotate the ratchetwheel and through it the shatt one step and at the same time to restore the armatures to their normal central position. And similarly, when the current through the coils of the electromagnet is reversed. the ratchetwheel 60 and through it the shaft will be rotated counter-clockwise step by step.

The operation of the system so far as hereinabove described is as follows: henever the switch connecting the circuit wires and 7) with the mains is closed, the valve will, througl'i the operation of the pressure responsive device and the relays controlling the circuits of the valve motor, automatically be brought to a position to admit a flow of steam from the supply pipe which will produce and maintain at the nozzle 4 a constant pressure of a value dependent upon the position of the cam 26 upon which the floating lever 24 is fulcrumed. For example, if the valve is closed or is not open far enough to permit a flow of steam sufficient to create the pressure for which the device is adjusted, the bourdon tube will cause the link 23 to drop somewhat and so permit the spring to rock the floating lever and thereby raise the button at its outer end and press the spring contact finger 19 against the lixed contact of wire/z. Thereupon, circuit wires 71' and i being connected. current will flow by these wires through the coils of relays l and 17 and back by wire y to the other side of the line. these two relays will be actuated and, closing their contacts. will close the circuits of the valve motor-cnrrent passing by wires (1 and 0 through the series field ot' the motor and by wire (1. contacts of relay 1'? and wire e through the armature ot the motor and thence by wire contacts of relay and wires f/ and Z) back to the other side of the line starting the motor in a direction to open the valve. And as the increased flow of steam through the valve builds up the pressure. in the intermediate pressure chamher, the bourdon tube will straighten out and rock the floating lever so as to remove the pressure of its button from the contact finger, which thereupon Will spdng back to open position and so break the circuits of the two relays tlllt'l-llll'flllgll them the circuits of the motor. It, on the other hand, the valve is opened loo wide, the pressure created and communicated to the bourdon tube will straighten out the tube and thereby rock the floating lever to a position which will press the spr n contact finger 20 against its c0- opcrating fixed contact. lVire la and 2' being then connected, current will flow through the coils ol' relays 16 and 18, which on closing will close the circuits of and so start the motor; but in this case the armature current, passing from wire (Z over the contacts of relay l5 and by wire 7' through the armature and back to the line by wire 6, will be reversed ancl consequently the motor will be operated in a direction to close down the valve. As soon as the liow of steam and hence the pressure have been reduced to the value predetermined by the adjustment of the cam t'uleruni of the floating lever, the free end of the bonrdon tube will drop and the spring will rock the lever to thereby allow the contact linger to open contact and so stop the motor. Whenever, due to changing conditions, the supply of steam thus automatically determined by the adjustment of the cam 26 becomes either excessive or inadequate, the attendant, at his switchboard, can at once change such adjustment by a simple manipulation of the polarity changing switch 31. Thus, by throwing the central movable contacts of this switch to one side, against the upper fixed contacts for instance, the current impulses produced by the interrupter will be transmitted by wires in Z and m to the coils ol relay 29 and thence back by wire n, through the coils of relay 29, and wires 0 and p, and the armatures o'l both relays, which with each impulse of current will be attracted to and released from the right hand poles ol the selector relays, will act through one oi the two pawl and ratchet sets to simultaneously rotate tooth by tooth both the cam 26 and the indicator disk 26 in a counter cloclnvisc direction. Such rotation of the cam, by lowering the point of support of the floating lever, renders the pressure responsive device operative at lower pressures, with the result that the valve. will be automatically shifted in the manner described to a. position corresponding thereto. As soon as the indicator disk shows that the cam has been moved sufliciently to effect the adjustment desired, the switch is thrown open and the movement of the cam instantly arrested. Similarly, to adjust the device to a higher pressure, to thereby secure an increased flow of steam through the valve, the movable contacts of the switch 3L are thrown to the other side and held againstthe lower fixed contacts until. the current impulses passing through the coils of the relays in the reverse relatively low pressure circulating main, means for controlling the flow ol' fluid from the high pressure supply to the main, means responsive to pressure created by the flow ol' fluid from the high pressure supply for controlling said control means, and electrically actuated means for adjusting said pressure responsive means so as to respond to diti'erent values thereol.

i. A fluid circulating system comprising a high pressure supply pipe, a low pressure circulating main, a power operated valve controlling the admission of fluid from the supply pipe to the main, apassage intermediate the valve and the main adapted to maintain therein an intermediate pressure dependent upon the volume of the fluid passing through the valve, and means responsive to pressure in such intermediate pressure passage for controlling the valve operating mechanism.

5. A fluid circulating system comprising a high pressure supply pipe, a low pressure circulating main, a power operated valve controlling the admission of fluid from the supply pipe to the main, a passage intermediate the valve and the main adapted to maintain therein an intermediate pressure dependent upon the volume of the fluid passing through the valve, means responsive to the pressure in such intermediate pressure chamber for controlling the valve operating mechanism, and electrically actuated means for controlling the pre'sure responsive means so as to render the same responsive to ditferentpressures.

6. A fluid circulating system comprising a high pressure supply pipe, a low pressure main, a valve controlling the admission of fluid from the supply pipe to the main, an electric motor operatively connected with the valve, circuit connections for the motor, and means responsive to the volume of fluid passing through the valve "for controlling the circuits oi the motor and adapted on an increase of the fluid flow above a predetermined value to close the motor circuits so as to start the motor in a direction to close the valve and on a. decrease of the fluid flow to close the motor circuits so as to start the motor in a reverse direction to open the valve.

7. A fluid circulating system comprising a high pressure supply pipe, a low pressure main, a valve controlling the admission of fluid from the supply pipe to the main, an electric motor operatively connected with the valve, circuit connections for the motor, means responsive to the volume of fluid passing through the valve for controlling the circuits of the motor which are adapted on an increase of the fluid flow above a preciotermined value to close the motor circuits so as to operate the motor in a direction to close the valve and on a decrease of the fluid flow to close the motor circuits so as to start the motor in a reverse direction, and means controllable from a distance for rendering the motor circuit control means responsive to varying values of the fluid flow.

8, A fluid circulating system comprising a h gh pressure supply pipe, a low pressure main, a valve controlling the admission of fluid from the supply pipe to the main, an electric motor operatively connected with the valve, circuit connections for the motor, and means for controlling the motor circuit which include an electric switch and a switch actuating member one olf which is movably mounted and electromagnetically actuated means for adjustably shifting the movable elementto and from the other element to thereby control the actuation of the switch.

9. In a fluid circulating system, the com bination of a valve for the admission of the fluid thereto, an electric motor operatively connected with the valve, circuit connections for the motor whereby it can be operated in either direction, and control means for the motor circuits which include two electric switches, a member adapted on a change in the relative positions thereof to ell'ect the actuation of either switch, and a selector relay whereby to efl'ect step by step a determinate change in the relative positions of said member and either switch to thereby control the actuation of such switch.

10. In a fluid circulating system, the combination, with a source of fluid supply, of a main, a plurality of distributing pipes connected therewith, means including a selector relay for controlling the admission of fluid from the supply source to the main, and means including a valve and a valve-operating selector relay associated with each distributing pipe for controlling the amount of fluid admitted from the main to the distributing pipes.

11. In a fluid circulating system, the combination, with the source of fluid supply, of a main, a plurality of distributing pipes connected therewith, means including a selector relay for controlling the admission of fluid from the supply source to the main, and means including a valve and valve-opcrating selector relay for controlling the amount ol fluid admitted from the main to each distributing pipe, the selector relays being controllable from a single distant position, and means for actuating at the point of control simultaneously with the actuation of each selector relay a corresponding indicator.

ii. In a system of the character disclosed, the combination of a supply pipe receiving steam at high pressure a low pressure main connected therewith, a plurality of distributing pi es connected with the main, a valve controlling the admission of steam from e; estates the-supply pipe to the main, means for maintaining on the discharge side oi? the valve an intermediate pressure dependent upon the quantity oi steam ilowing'thro'ugh the valve, a motor for operatii'ig the valve, means including a pressure device responsive to said intermediate steam pressure :lor controlling the valve motor and adapted upon a rise of pessure above a predetermined value to start the motor in a direc tion to close the VRlVG and on a drop of pressure 'heloW such predetermined value to start the motor in the reverse direction to open the valve, valves in the distributing pipes controlling; the a lniiission of steam from the main to each aiufl electrically actuated means controllable from a single point for separately rei'idering the valve motor control neans responsive to different values oithe intermediate stean'i pressure and for operating the valve in each distrihuting pipe.

13. In a system oi -the character disclosed, the combination or a sug iply pipe receiving steamathigh.pressure a low pressure main connected therewith a plurality oi distributing pipes connected with the main, a valve controlling the admission of steam from the supply pipe to the main, means for main taininp; on the'discharge side of the valve an intermediate pressure elf steam dependent upon the volume oi the steam .passing through the valve a motor for operatlng the valve, i'neans including a pressure device responsive to said intern'iediate steam pressure for ct itrolli g the valve motor valves in the rhstributing pipes controlling the admission-0t steam from the main to each, and electrically actuated means all controllable from a single point for individually efi'ecting an adjustment of the pressure responsive device so that it Will resnond to different pressures and for operating the valve in each distributing pipe and, simultaneously avith each control operation, for actuating atthe point of control a correspond ing' control indicator.

let. in .atluid circulating system, the combination, with a source of fluid supply. of a circulatingmain a motor-operated valve controlling the admission of 'lluid from the supply source to the main. a plurality of distriloutiioip pipes connected Wit-lithe main, subsidiary electromagnetically actuated valves each controlling the admission of liuid from theiuain to a distributing pipe, andineans controllable from a single given point for controlling the valve motor to thereby regulate the amount of fluid admitted to the main and for selectively acthating the 'subsidiar valves to thereby selectively regulate the amount of fluid admitted from the main to the individual distrihiiting pip'e l5. in a systeni oi thecharacter described, the combination. with a. iply pipe of a main, a plurality of distributing pipes con nected with'the iuaiiuineans for controlling tl'ieadiu'issiou of the tluid troiii the supply pipe to "the main, and electrically actuated m ans controllable from a single point for s..e..ectiveiy controlling the amount oi the fluid admitted from the main to each dis trihuti'ug pipe.

16. In a system of the characterdisclosed, the couili'ination, "with a supply pipe, of a main, a.plurality o't distributing pipes connected "with the mai'iumeans for controlling the admission of the fluid from the supply pipe/to the main, andelectrically actuated u'ieans controllable from a single point "forselectively controllingthealuiount 'ot the 'liuid admitted from the main to each distributing pipe and simultaneously there with correspondingly actuating at the con trol point controliu i'c'atingr devices.

17. in systein oi"thecharacterdisclosed, the combination, With a si'ipply pipe, of'a inain a plurality of distributing pipes connected with the main, means controllable electromagnetiCally from a siu le point tor regulatingthe aiii ount of the itl'admitted from the supply 1 etothe'niain and tor lectively regulating the amount of the fluid admitted from themain to each distributing pipe.

1 in a system otthe character described, the coinbinatioiu with a supply pipe, or? a main, a plurality of distributing pipes 'eonnected With the main. and means controllable electroniaggiietiealliv from a siiiiglep oiut folselectively re 'ulating the amount o't'the fluid admitted 0th El i-om the supply pipe to the main and lirornthe uiaiu toe'ach distributing pipe and for actuatin simultaneously therewith corres 'ioudiup"regulation iiidicating devices at the place of control.

W ll TEE 'i "Millll IADGF 

